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It’s Friday; get in, we’re learning how to watch TV.
Welcome to Paul Mescal season
Over the summer, I spent some time in London with Paul Mescal and his little earring for the GQ November cover story. We dug into his work on Gladiator II (“The only thing I will forever be angry at Ridley for is his deep desire to shoot at the fucking peak of summer, as a pasty Irish boy who does not do well in the heat”). We got philosophical (“I’ve always been convinced that I’m not going to live a long life”). And, of course, I asked him about those running-away rumors (“Ohhhhhhh…fucking hell!”).
I first profiled Mescal back in 2020, right after Normal People blew up. “Over the course of 12 episodes, there’s…an intensifying sense that you’re witnessing the making of a leading man, one who will be appearing on our screens for years and years to come,” I wrote at the time. Well, well, well. But for real, in the years since, he’s been making all the smart, genuinely quality choices a young actor can make. Aftersun! All of Us Strangers! This fall will be the next test of his mettle, as he trades wistful indies for the $250 million blockbuster arena.
More from the gorgeous and proud nation of Ireland
Elsewhere on the “GQ covering Irish exports” beat is a profile on Fontaines D.C. by Olivia Ovenden that’s equal parts rollicking and thoughtful. She caught the Dublin rockers—yes, a cool rock band in 2024—precisely as they’re blowing up and working through a few growing pains. And, to bring it full circle, the lads are endorsed by fellow Emerald Isle legends Mescal and Cillian Murphy.
Learn how to watch TV
TV’s in a weird place right now. And maybe we’re all a little weird about watching it too. There are too many streaming services. You can’t stop scrolling while you watch. You’re probably messing up your REM cycles by falling asleep to The Great British Bakeoff. Also, is it technically cheating to skip ahead on a show that you’ve been watching with your girlfriend?
